Magic: the Gathering - Spoiler Series
Writer
I would like to take the opportunity to give my initial impressions on a few of the now spoiled Worldwake cards. The set is completely spoiled but we only have a few days to digest the cards before the Prerelease, so hopefully this information can help provide some insight when it comes time to crack some new packs.
Due to my own playing preference (and the practicality of it), most of the information presented will pertain to Limited (draft and sealed), but I will address Constructed as well. I will use a five point rating system as follows:
Constructed:
5 – Constructed staple, has applications in existing decks and will change the format based on its existence.
4 – Will be played in existing decks and in future decks, definitely a card to keep in mind.
3 - Will probably see some play.
2 – Could see some play in fringe decks, but more than likely will turn out to be bad.
1 – Do not consider this card for Constructed.
Limited:
5 – Bomb; if you open this card, you play it.
4 – Very strong, a convincing argument to play its color(s).
3 – Quality filler card, the meat of most Limited decks.
2 – Poor filler, the cards you will scrape together as the last few cards in the deck.
1 – Do not play unless your draft went horribly wrong.
First on the chopping block:
[Archon of Redemption]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 5
I had to think about whether or not I considered this to be a bomb in Limited. I eventually decided that it was, because it is large enough that it can start to kill your opponent or play defense. The main argument against it is that it costs five mana, but it provides the immediate defense of 3 life, so even if they kill it with removal (which, from Zendikar, is going to cost them at least three or four mana a lot of the time), you are not losing a ton of ground. If it stays in play and you manage to play it in the UW flyers deck, you stand to gain a lot, as you will easily be able to outrace your opponent just by adding to the board.
[Stoneforce Mystic]
Constructed: 3
Limited: 3
This card has an application in Extended, a format where people are playing lots of toolbox sorts of equipment already. The body that it provides for the extra mana over Steelshaper’s Gift is useful, purely because it can wield the game-changing equipment you find with it.
In Limited this card is going to be decent some of the time. A ½ body is enough to trade with the many 2/1 creatures in the format, but there is also a decent amount of quality equipment to search up. In addition to the many new items in Worldwake, Trusty Machete is always a card that is going to give you a large edge, and being able to find it is certainly useful.
This card will also be incredible in the EDH casual format, as almost every deck already includes some form of equipment, such as Lightning Greaves, Loxodon Warhammer, or the Kaldra pieces. Along with effects that abuse enters the battlefield triggers, it’s almost an auto-include in EDH decks playing white.
[Calcite Snapper]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 4
I rated this card reasonably well because I believe that it is better than people may give it credit for. In Constructed it could be a potential sideboard card against control. That’s not really something that is in demand right now, but four power with shroud for three mana is something to get excited about. I believe that it would be best against the Grixis control decks that normally try to use 1-for-1 removal spells until they can cast Cruel Ultimatum. One of their few ways to kill it would be Earthquake, but on their turn it has 4 toughness, so you are effectively getting a 4/4 shroud.
I think that this card adds a lot to blue, as blue was somewhat shallow in Zendikar Limited. It will quickly halt an offense of 2/1 attackers, and when their board is less full it will put them on a very fast clock.
[Enclave Elite]
Constructed: 1
Limited: 2
This card is pretty disappointing. Islandwalk is not such a big deal, but people played Mindless Null when they had to in Zendikar, so this will see play when a blue drafter does not get the perfect draft. It’s not the worst thing ever, as five mana for a 3/3 could be something a blue player wants, but it’s nothing special.
[Agadeem Occultist]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 3
It was difficult to rate this card properly for Limited. It could certainly be powerful, but it needs to be in a deck with sufficient allies, but also with a way to get creature cards in your opponent’s graveyard. A situation that is unlikely to come up in Limited is the interaction between this card and Bala Ged Thief. With another color, perhaps white, that has decent one- and two-mana allies, this curve could represent a very strong line of play. Then again, overextending has never been a good strategy in Magic and it’s probably not strong enough to merit playing in Standard.
[Bojuka Brigand]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 3
This card is something that I got a bit excited about. It is an easy to cast, playable on its own ally in a strong color. In Limited this guy is great if you are continuing an ally theme, but he’s perfectly fine even without any others, very similar to Oran-Rief Survivalist and Umara Raptor from Zendikar. It could possibly fit in the deck I mentioned with Agadeem Occultist, but only because of mana restrictions.
[Akoum Battlesinger]
Constructed: 1
Limited: 3
It seems I’ve chosen to write about a lot of allies today. This one is exciting not only because it is another cheap option for players trying to collect allies, but because it represents the first real racing trick that the ally deck has. A lot of times the Ally deck will be predictable, in that the other player can clearly see how much time they have. This card serves a similar function to Goblin Bushwhacker, in that it can throw off the opponent’s math by an entire turn.
[Deathforge Shaman]
Constructed: 1
Limited: 2
This card is more powerful than the ratings I give it suggest, but it is simply too expensive to have any real impact on Constructed, and it is too slow to be desirable in Limited. It is worth noting that it could be quite powerful in some type of ramp deck or in casual/EDH, since as the mana input increases, the damage output increases at a rate much faster than the typical X burn spell.
[Arbor Elf]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 2
This card could see play in Standard Eldrazi Green decks, serving as Llanowar Elves 5-8 if desired. This deck does represent a potential return to the limelight with all the green goodies being released in this set, but only time will tell.
In Limited, this card is not so good, because the acceleration will not help as much or as often, and after turn one it is just a creature of the smallest impact. This doesn’t mean it’s unplayable though, as it can still trade for those nasty 2/1’s.
[Graypelt Hunter]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 3
Ah, another Ally. This one is pretty powerful, as it basically just puts trample on an already reasonable body size. I would be happy to pick this up if I was in green at all.
[Wrexial, the Risen Deep]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 3?
I mainly want to talk about this card just for its EDH purposes. As a multicolored legendary creature, it is in a good position to be an EDH General. The beauty of it is that blue and black are both highly played colors in EDH, especially in multiplayer games, so it will almost always be able to get through and get you some kind of advantage. Not the kind of general that can be necessarily built around, but definitely a solid choice for a UB player.
[Everflowing Chalice]
Constructed: 3
Limited: 2
This card will probably have some impact on Constructed, as even as a “bad signet”, some decks will want to play it. Obviously decks that are trying to cast Cruel Ultimatum will not want it, but decks that want to land a Planeswalker early or a large Earthquake or Martial Coup will appreciate it. Any deck that is playing X spells has already chosen to forgo Cascade, so that problem is addressed automatically.
This card is also one that shines in the world of casual multiplayer, as it can lead to some insane increases in mana advantage in the late game, which quite often leads to a victory, or at the very least some insanely cool plays.
[Tectonic Edge]
Constructed: 4
Limited: 2
This card is very well designed, and certainly powerful. I predict that the new dual-man-lands will be included in many decks in Standard after Worldwake, so this gives the mono-colored decks a way to make them fight fair. It also represents a decent amount of disruption for virtually no cost, as it could keep them off of their Cruel Ultimatum, or even a Baneslayer Angel. Decks that do not have excessive color requirements will certainly want to consider using some number of this card. It is also an exciting possibility to include at least one copy for decks looking to abuse Knight of the Reliquary even further.
Overall I’d have to say I’m very impressed with the cards from Worldwake so far. It looks like it will be exciting to draft, and should shake up Standard a bit too. Hopefully the initial assessments I have provided will be useful to someone. If they are, I will try to get some more cards done before the prerelease.
Until next time!
Due to my own playing preference (and the practicality of it), most of the information presented will pertain to Limited (draft and sealed), but I will address Constructed as well. I will use a five point rating system as follows:
Constructed:
5 – Constructed staple, has applications in existing decks and will change the format based on its existence.
4 – Will be played in existing decks and in future decks, definitely a card to keep in mind.
3 - Will probably see some play.
2 – Could see some play in fringe decks, but more than likely will turn out to be bad.
1 – Do not consider this card for Constructed.
Limited:
5 – Bomb; if you open this card, you play it.
4 – Very strong, a convincing argument to play its color(s).
3 – Quality filler card, the meat of most Limited decks.
2 – Poor filler, the cards you will scrape together as the last few cards in the deck.
1 – Do not play unless your draft went horribly wrong.
First on the chopping block:
[Archon of Redemption]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 5
I had to think about whether or not I considered this to be a bomb in Limited. I eventually decided that it was, because it is large enough that it can start to kill your opponent or play defense. The main argument against it is that it costs five mana, but it provides the immediate defense of 3 life, so even if they kill it with removal (which, from Zendikar, is going to cost them at least three or four mana a lot of the time), you are not losing a ton of ground. If it stays in play and you manage to play it in the UW flyers deck, you stand to gain a lot, as you will easily be able to outrace your opponent just by adding to the board.
[Stoneforce Mystic]
Constructed: 3
Limited: 3
This card has an application in Extended, a format where people are playing lots of toolbox sorts of equipment already. The body that it provides for the extra mana over Steelshaper’s Gift is useful, purely because it can wield the game-changing equipment you find with it.
In Limited this card is going to be decent some of the time. A ½ body is enough to trade with the many 2/1 creatures in the format, but there is also a decent amount of quality equipment to search up. In addition to the many new items in Worldwake, Trusty Machete is always a card that is going to give you a large edge, and being able to find it is certainly useful.
This card will also be incredible in the EDH casual format, as almost every deck already includes some form of equipment, such as Lightning Greaves, Loxodon Warhammer, or the Kaldra pieces. Along with effects that abuse enters the battlefield triggers, it’s almost an auto-include in EDH decks playing white.
[Calcite Snapper]
Limited: 4
I rated this card reasonably well because I believe that it is better than people may give it credit for. In Constructed it could be a potential sideboard card against control. That’s not really something that is in demand right now, but four power with shroud for three mana is something to get excited about. I believe that it would be best against the Grixis control decks that normally try to use 1-for-1 removal spells until they can cast Cruel Ultimatum. One of their few ways to kill it would be Earthquake, but on their turn it has 4 toughness, so you are effectively getting a 4/4 shroud.
I think that this card adds a lot to blue, as blue was somewhat shallow in Zendikar Limited. It will quickly halt an offense of 2/1 attackers, and when their board is less full it will put them on a very fast clock.
[Enclave Elite]
Constructed: 1
Limited: 2
This card is pretty disappointing. Islandwalk is not such a big deal, but people played Mindless Null when they had to in Zendikar, so this will see play when a blue drafter does not get the perfect draft. It’s not the worst thing ever, as five mana for a 3/3 could be something a blue player wants, but it’s nothing special.
[Agadeem Occultist]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 3
It was difficult to rate this card properly for Limited. It could certainly be powerful, but it needs to be in a deck with sufficient allies, but also with a way to get creature cards in your opponent’s graveyard. A situation that is unlikely to come up in Limited is the interaction between this card and Bala Ged Thief. With another color, perhaps white, that has decent one- and two-mana allies, this curve could represent a very strong line of play. Then again, overextending has never been a good strategy in Magic and it’s probably not strong enough to merit playing in Standard.
[Bojuka Brigand]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 3
This card is something that I got a bit excited about. It is an easy to cast, playable on its own ally in a strong color. In Limited this guy is great if you are continuing an ally theme, but he’s perfectly fine even without any others, very similar to Oran-Rief Survivalist and Umara Raptor from Zendikar. It could possibly fit in the deck I mentioned with Agadeem Occultist, but only because of mana restrictions.
[Akoum Battlesinger]
Constructed: 1
Limited: 3
It seems I’ve chosen to write about a lot of allies today. This one is exciting not only because it is another cheap option for players trying to collect allies, but because it represents the first real racing trick that the ally deck has. A lot of times the Ally deck will be predictable, in that the other player can clearly see how much time they have. This card serves a similar function to Goblin Bushwhacker, in that it can throw off the opponent’s math by an entire turn.
[Deathforge Shaman]
Constructed: 1
Limited: 2
This card is more powerful than the ratings I give it suggest, but it is simply too expensive to have any real impact on Constructed, and it is too slow to be desirable in Limited. It is worth noting that it could be quite powerful in some type of ramp deck or in casual/EDH, since as the mana input increases, the damage output increases at a rate much faster than the typical X burn spell.
Constructed: 2
Limited: 2
This card could see play in Standard Eldrazi Green decks, serving as Llanowar Elves 5-8 if desired. This deck does represent a potential return to the limelight with all the green goodies being released in this set, but only time will tell.
In Limited, this card is not so good, because the acceleration will not help as much or as often, and after turn one it is just a creature of the smallest impact. This doesn’t mean it’s unplayable though, as it can still trade for those nasty 2/1’s.
[Graypelt Hunter]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 3
Ah, another Ally. This one is pretty powerful, as it basically just puts trample on an already reasonable body size. I would be happy to pick this up if I was in green at all.
[Wrexial, the Risen Deep]
Constructed: 2
Limited: 3?
I mainly want to talk about this card just for its EDH purposes. As a multicolored legendary creature, it is in a good position to be an EDH General. The beauty of it is that blue and black are both highly played colors in EDH, especially in multiplayer games, so it will almost always be able to get through and get you some kind of advantage. Not the kind of general that can be necessarily built around, but definitely a solid choice for a UB player.
[Everflowing Chalice]
Constructed: 3
Limited: 2
This card will probably have some impact on Constructed, as even as a “bad signet”, some decks will want to play it. Obviously decks that are trying to cast Cruel Ultimatum will not want it, but decks that want to land a Planeswalker early or a large Earthquake or Martial Coup will appreciate it. Any deck that is playing X spells has already chosen to forgo Cascade, so that problem is addressed automatically.
This card is also one that shines in the world of casual multiplayer, as it can lead to some insane increases in mana advantage in the late game, which quite often leads to a victory, or at the very least some insanely cool plays.
[Tectonic Edge]
Constructed: 4
Limited: 2
This card is very well designed, and certainly powerful. I predict that the new dual-man-lands will be included in many decks in Standard after Worldwake, so this gives the mono-colored decks a way to make them fight fair. It also represents a decent amount of disruption for virtually no cost, as it could keep them off of their Cruel Ultimatum, or even a Baneslayer Angel. Decks that do not have excessive color requirements will certainly want to consider using some number of this card. It is also an exciting possibility to include at least one copy for decks looking to abuse Knight of the Reliquary even further.
Overall I’d have to say I’m very impressed with the cards from Worldwake so far. It looks like it will be exciting to draft, and should shake up Standard a bit too. Hopefully the initial assessments I have provided will be useful to someone. If they are, I will try to get some more cards done before the prerelease.
Until next time!
Mike Schuller
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An avid TCG enthusiast, Mike is most comfortable playing Magic, but has recently enjoyed success playing Epic at the highest level. Mike considers himself to be more of a limited-format specialist, but is always working on improving.
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